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Comorbid non-alcohol substance misuse among people with schizophrenia

Epidemiological study in central London

St Charles' Hospital, London, UK

CHRISTOS PANTELIS, MRCPsych

Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research & Academic Unit. The University of Melbourne and Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

MICHAEL A. McPHILLIPS, MRCPsych

Brent, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Substance Misuse Service, London, UK

THOMAS R. E. BARNES, FRCPsych

Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK

Correspondence: Professor Thomas R. E. Barnes, Imperial College School of Medicine, Academic Centre, Ealing Hospital, St Bernard's Wing, Ealing, Middlesex UBI 3EU, UK

Declaration of interest Grant from North Thames Regional Health Authority.

Background Few epidemiological studies have assessed the extent and nature of comorbid non-alcohol substance misuse in people with schizophrenia in the community in the UK.

Aims To study the extent and nature of comorbid non-alcohol substance misuse in people with schizophrenia in central London.

Method Subjects were identified in an epidemiological census survey of South Westminster. Standardised assessment of each subject included demographic data, ratings of mental state and movement disorder and questioning about drug and alcohol misuse.

Results Individuals with schizophrenia or related psychoses were identified (n=352) and 57 (16%) reported a lifetime history of non-alcohol substance misuse. Age and gender were the main variables relevant to the extent and pattern of misuse. Self-reported non-alcohol substance misuse showed no significant relationship with a range of outcome measures.

Conclusions The high proportion of subjects reporting non-alcohol substance misuse is comparable with figures from the USA. The reports of lifetime misuse most commonly referred to cannabis, psychostimulants, LSD, opiates and anticholinergics. Misuse was concentrated in those younger than 36 years and was reported more often by males.

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